As I live in a hard water area, I was looking for something to minimize water spots. Hoping for some additive or some such, seems this doesn't exist.

Now I know to not wash in the sun (not always avoidable) etc.

 

I have 2 purple monster MF drying towels I use after rinsing, but it seems I need at least one other with the size of the Kodiaq !

Water spots and drying required might have been worse the first time due to no wax being on the car, at least now it has a coat of Fusso99.

 

While looking for an answer I stumbled across this: http://www.the-absorber.co.uk/

Thinking I could use this for initial water absorption, and finish off anything remaining with the towels.

Or would I be better using something like power maxed QD as a drying aid and topping with BSD ?

 

I too live in a hard water area and have found that Bilt Hamber Auto Wash vastly reduces the amount of post wash water spots and streaks, on cooler days I don't get any at all.  I've found adding 50% to the recommended dosage gets some nicer suds too and makes it extra slick.   I split the car into to 4 segments and rinse each one after washing; so roof, rinse, bonnet, rinse, wing, rinse, wing, rinse, boot/rear, rinse.   Getting the suds off quickly is what I aim for. 

 

Have you tried taking a nozzle of the hose after you've finished washing and just allowed the water to sheet off, e.g

 

 

 You can do the same with a watering can; you'd be amazed how much surface water just rinses away.  

 

I use drying towels similar to these on my Superb:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TWIN-PACK-Car-Drying-Towel-Cloth-Microfibre-Extra-Large-60-x-90cm-Trade-Quality-/251597453459?hash=item3a94607893:g:7JMAAOxyYTRSWphJ

 

 I just lay the towel flat on the horizontal surfaces, grab two leading corners and pull the towel across the surface, like a really really bad matador   Then quickly pat down the not so horizontal panels. 

 

Now you mention BSD which I always find a bit grabby on a 100% dry car but misting (as well as you can with the heavy duty applicator) it over the panels when they still have a few beads of water makes it much better and it's a good drying aid.  I'll do this with 2, possibly 3 plush MF cloths.   Perfect - drying done and interim wash on the body work sorted 

 

Sorry, hope I'm not saying anything you don't know already.  Living in a hard water area myself I've found this works well for me. 

Edited 12 May, 20179 yr by penguin17

I'll have to try the BH wash, thanks

Also the water rinse with no pressure method.

I just ordered some Adams H20 guard and gloss to try to, looks good from user opinions.

2 hours ago, Mr Grump said:

I'll have to try the BH wash, thanks

Also the water rinse with no pressure method.

I just ordered some Adams H20 guard and gloss to try to, looks good from user opinions.

Water spots can be a PITA but as above you can reduce it by sheeting the water off using n open end hose close to the car side on which will gather the water droplets as it runs off leaving a much drier can. 

Also there are resin filters which filter the water of minerals making remaining water droplets easier to remove. 

When drying you can also spritz the area with a drying aid and then buffing with a dry microfibre. 

You'll like the Adam's H2O though. Remember, one panel at a time, start off with the panels facing the sun first and work round. 

Optimum No Rinse can be used as a water softener in other shampoos. Just add a small dose (maybe half the recommended dose for use on its own) and it will massively reduce water spotting.

 

Frankly THE best way  to avoid spotting though is use rainwater for washing - I've been doing it for almost 10 years and its clean, simple and free. We have uber hard water here and water spotting is a major issue with a normal shampoo routine in any kind of warm weather. I use ONR mixed with rain water as a rinseless wash and if its warm I just wash and dry 1 panel at a time, which makes spotting a non-issue anyway.

On 2017-5-17 at 15:18, Bigpikle said:

Optimum No Rinse can be used as a water softener in other shampoos. Just add a small dose (maybe half the recommended dose for use on its own) and it will massively reduce water spotting.

 

Frankly THE best way  to avoid spotting though is use rainwater for washing - I've been doing it for almost 10 years and its clean, simple and free. We have uber hard water here and water spotting is a major issue with a normal shampoo routine in any kind of warm weather. I use ONR mixed with rain water as a rinseless wash and if its warm I just wash and dry 1 panel at a time, which makes spotting a non-issue anyway.

 

Edited 20 May, 20179 yr by mandp